Construction on a multi-million pound technology park in St Austell has completed a major phase.

Representatives from the Carluddon Technology Park and Employment Space for Advanced Manufacture (ESAM) project partnership gathered at the site this week to celebrate the completion of the steel frame by tightening the bolts.

The ESAM is supported by a £6.2m investment from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), part of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Growth Programme and Cornwall Council, that has invested £2.3m.

The technology park and ESAM on the outskirts of St Austell is hoped to attract high value businesses and create high skilled jobs that will be a catalyst for new employment opportunities in Cornwall.

ESAM will have the capacity to provide space and business support services for up to 27 advanced manufacturing and low carbon environmental goods and service sector businesses, with the potential to create up to 75 high skilled jobs by 2023.

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On completion, which is expected in summer 2018, the Carluddon Technology Park will provide the capacity and infrastructure for the development of up to 8,500sqm of workspace.

It will be developed within the heart of the eco-communities initiative just four miles from The Eden Project, on a site adjoining the Council’s ERDF funded A391 Carluddon road improvement.

Steve Double, MP for St Austell and Newquay, said: “It was good to visit Carluddon Technology Park today and see the excellent progress that has been made on this new development.”

“I have always worked to ensure that all new housing developments are supported by investment in infrastructure and job creation. With the garden village approved it is pleasing to see that not only is progress being made with a new school, roads and health facilities, but these new business premises will create the new jobs we need. The fact that this is happening before any new houses are built is especially good to see."

Councillor Bob Egerton, Cornwall Council’s portfolio holder for economy, said: “The development of high quality workspace in Cornwall is very important. It forms a crucial part of the suite of business support and growth functions available that will create high skilled and high value job opportunities.

"I look forward to seeing the technology park, and the businesses that locate here, grow in the near future.”

Operations director Brian Rice, of Kier Construction, added: “I am delighted that despite the challenging weather the local councillors and representatives from Cornwall Council braved the elements to join us for the topping out ceremony on Friday.

"The traditional ceremony was marked by the tightening of a bolt on the steel frame and marks this significant stage in the construction. The steel frame shows the outline of this prestigious project which will hugely benefit local employment in the St Austell and surrounding area, and we are delighted to be delivering the scheme on behalf of Cornwall Council.”

"These are among a number of business sectors with high growth potential in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and projects like this will assist in attracting new investment, and help businesses to be nationally and internationally competitive.”

John Hodkin, representing Imerys and Eco-Bos, said, “We have been involved in this project from the start and donated the land for both this and the A391 improvement as part of our on-going commitment to the regeneration of the Mid Cornwall area.

"In our public consultations for the eco-community, much of the feedback has centred around job creation, economic improvement and putting in infrastructure first. I’m delighted with the progress of the ESAM and look forward to its completion and the start of business from the facility.”